The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Please note: This morning's DM had a non-working link for comments. That has now been corrected. We apologize for the inconvenience! Watch for Matthew Fox's video meditation -- now appearing every
Monday! |
The
Original (and Pre-Colonial)
Version of the Rosary 01/26/2024 |
Sad to say, there is a shadow side to today’s rosary practice which taints the original version of the “Hail Mary” prayer created in the Middle Ages. |
A pope in the sixteenth century remade the medieval rosary by adding the words, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death” at the end. The emphasis on sin and fear of death became prominent in the 16th century both in Protestantism and
in Roman Catholicism unfortunately.* That familiar ending to the prayer taints and compromises the original version of it that was practiced by the pre-modern |
Found at the Queen of the Holy Rosary Shrine. Photo taken by Robert Lipka. Wikimedia Commons. |
church including notables like Saints Dominic, Francis, Thomas Aquinas, and Meister Eckhart, Mechtild of Magdeburg, Julian of Norwich, Nicolas Cusa, etc. Below I will share the original version of the ”Hail Mary” prayer that I respect and prefer because it does not dwell on sin or guilt or
fear of death but instead emphasizes the dignity of the human that we strive to uphold, including the dignity of our powers of creativity. As Mahatma Gandhi has warned, “a religion based on fear is not a religion.” |
Rosary. Wikipedia. Public domain. | This surely addresses the immediate question that death raises: Is one’s work, one’s vocation, finished? And what was that work, that vocation, that one gave to the world while on earth? Such a response to death deals with a question of substance therefore in preference to conjuring up |
the
fear of death and what follows with punishment for sin and “fires of hell” (words from the ritual) that sadly dominate the prayers that are recited. |
Following is the original “Hail Mary” prayer from the 12th century: Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with you, untroubled maiden.
You are blessed among women, you who brought forth
peace to people and glory to the angels.
Blessed too is the fruit of your womb,
who by grace made it possible for us to be his
heirs. I much prefer this prayer to the one that has dominated from the fear-ridden and patriarchal 16th century up to today. To be continued. |
Queries for Contemplation How does the older (and for many the all-new) version of the Hail Mary prayer strike you? How would you name the differences between
the older and the more recent versions? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments
field. |
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the
traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of
perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics |
|
In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical,
cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "Matthew Fox has created a narrative, for every parent and grandparent, both spiritual and
scientific, that is a gift for all elders who recognize their responsibility in initiating the young ones into the grandeur of existence." Cosmologist Brian Swimme, author of Cosmogenesis and The Universe Story "Matthew Fox has given all of us, children included, a wondrous and enchanting view of creation
and all that humanity should aspire to." - Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and A Time for Grace Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout. |
|
UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
SPECIAL EVENT: 5-DAY WORKSHOP IN AQUINAS’ HOMETOWN OF ORVIETO, ITALY
WITH MATTHEW FOX, MESHI CHAVEZ, AND CLAUDIA PICARDI
JUNE 9-14, 2024
LEARN MORE HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “The Lotus & The Rose” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, February 15, 4:00-6:00 pm PT. Register HERE. |
|
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox’s episode on the Take Back Your Mind with Michael B. Beckwith Podcast, Mysticism & The Modern Age, is available on the Take Back Your Mind YouTube channel. To listen, play at right. |
|
Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
|
|
|
